Mirel Wagner

Why You Need to Listen: Finnish singer-songwriter Mirel Wagner stands out in a crowd. While her pedigree is unique (born in Ethiopia, raised in Finland), it is her voice that is most fascinating. The 24-year-old singer’s satiny, slow intonation has been known to stop people in their tracks only to then lead them down a rabbit hole of haunting and eloquent songs about murder, depression and death. Her love of the blues, especially Robert Johnson and Skip James, influences not only her chosen topics, but also her lilting lovely sound, resulting in songs that are equal parts wildly unsettling and wholly seductive. Her self-titled album is out now on Friendly Fire Recordings.